Kollam located in Kerala covers an area of 2,483 square kilometers and had a population of 2.679 million according to the 2021 projection which is expected to be around 2.84 million in 2025 and 2.905 million in 2036. The total number of people was 2.635 million in 2011. The district has a density of approximately 1,056 people per square km and is at 155th position in India regarding densely populated areas. Malayalam is the common language and is spoken by 99.10% of the population..
Quick Overview of District Census 2021 & Projections
- District: Kollam, Kerala (formerly Quilon)
- Area: 2,483 km2
- Coordinates: 8°48′N 76°36′E
- Population (2011 Census): 2,635,375 (26.35 Lakhs)
- Population (2021 projected): 2,670,000 (26.79 Lakhs)
- Population (2025 projected): 2,839,964 – 2,690,000 (28.4 – 26.91 Lakhs)
- Population (2036 projected): 2,905,253 (29.05 Lakhs)
- Rank: 155th in India (by pop., 2011)
- Population Growth (2001–2011): +1.94%
- Density: 1,061/km2 (2011 census); 1,056/km2 (wiki)
- Main language: Malayalam (99.10%)
Historic Population & Growth (1901–2036)
| Year | Population | Variation | % Change | Male | Female |
| 1901 | 406,013 | – | – | 204,000 | 202,000 |
| 1961 | 1,461,103 | 351,000 | 31.59% | 732,000 | 729,000 |
| 1981 | 2,175,339 | 336,000 | 18.27% | 1,076,000 | 1,099,000 |
| 2001 | 2,585,208 | 178,000 | 7.38% | 1,249,621 | 1,335,587 |
| 2011 | 2,635,375 | 50,167 | 1.94% | 1,246,968 | 1,388,407 |
| 2025 (proj) | 2,839,964 | 204,589 | 7.76% | 1,346,000 | 1,494,000 |
| 2036 (proj) | 2,905,253 | 65,289 | 2.23% | 1,378,453 | 1,526,699 |
Religion-Wise Population (2011)
| Religion | Population | % |
| Hindu | 1,697,635 | 64.42% |
| Muslim | 508,500 | 19.3% |
| Christian | 421,598 | 16.0% |
| Others/Not Stated | 7,712 | 0.28% |
| Buddhist | 272 | 0.01% |
| Sikh | 208 | 0.01% |
| Jain | 63 | 0% |
Sex Ratio, Child Population, & Density
- Sex Ratio (2011): 1113 females per 1000 males
- Sex Ratio (2025): 1114 est.
- Child Sex Ratio (0–6 yrs, 2011): 973
- Total Child Population (0–6 yrs, 2011): 254,260 (9.65%)
- Male Children: 128,899 | Female Children: 125,361
- Urban Child Population (0–6 yrs): 116,701
- Rural Child Population (0–6 yrs): 137,559
Literacy Rate
| Category | Avg Literacy Rate | Male Literacy | Female Literacy |
| Total Population | 94.09% | 96.09% | 92.31% |
| Urban Area | 94.06% | 96.03% | 92.29% |
| Rural Area | 94.10% | 96.14% | 92.32% |
| Religion | Avg Literacy Rate | Male Literacy | Female Literacy |
| Hindu | 94.25% | 96.29% | 92.43% |
| Muslim | 92.35% | 95.23% | 89.85% |
| Christian | 95.55% | 96.36% | 94.83% |
SC/ST Population (2011 Census)
| Group | Total | % | Male | Female | Sex Ratio |
| SC | 328,263 | 12.46% | 157,801 | 170,462 | 1081 |
| ST | 10,761 | 0.41% | 5,195 | 5,566 | 1072 |
Urban/Rural Breakdown & Households
| Category |
Population |
% |
Male |
Female |
Sex Ratio |
Child Sex Ratio |
Literacy % |
| Urban |
1,187,158 |
45.05% |
566,281 |
620,877 |
1,097 |
972 |
94.06 |
| Rural |
1,448,217 |
54.95% |
680,687 |
767,530 |
1,128 |
973 |
94.10 |
- Total Households: 669,375
- Towns: 27
- Villages: 69
Subdistricts (Taluks) & Villages List
| Taluk | HQ |
| Kollam | Kollam |
| Karunagappally | Karunagappally |
| Kunnathur | Sasthamkotta |
| Kottarakkara | Kottarakkara |
| Punalur | Punalur |
| Pathanapuram | Pathanapuram |
- Municipalities: Punalur, Paravur, Karunagappally, Kottarakkara
- Villages (total): 104
- Main Gram Panchayats (sample): Adichanalloor, Chavara, Kulasekharapuram, Mayyanad, Neendakara, Poothakkulam, Vadakkumthala
Largest Cities & Towns
| City/Town | Taluk | Population |
| Kollam* | Kollam | 397,419 |
| Karunagappally | Karunagappally | 49,604 |
| Punalur | Punalur | 46,702 |
| Chavara | Karunagappally | 42,655 |
| Mayyanad | Kollam | 40,039 |
| Paravur | Kollam | 37,245 |
| Kundara | Kollam | 33,959 |
| Kottarakkara | Kottarakkara | 29,788 |
| Ochira | Karunagappally | 28,412 |
| Chathannoor | Kollam | 28,029 |
Languages Spoken
- Malayalam (99.10%)
- Tamil (<1 and="" borders="" in="" li="" some="" villages="">
Workforce Data (2011)
- Total workers: 912,025 (34.61%)
- Male workers: 644,362
- Female workers: 267,663
Climate Data
| Month | Max °C | Min °C | Rainfall mm |
| Jan | 32 | 22 | 24.4 |
| May | 33 | 25 | 246.9 |
| Jun | 30 | 24 | 458.8 |
| Jul | 30 | 23 | 408.9 |
| Oct | 31 | 24 | 332.5 |
| Year Avg | 33 | 22 | 2700 |
- Avg rainfall: 2,700 mm/year
Tourism Highlights
- Jadayu Earth Centre
- Palaruvi Falls
- Thenmala (forests, reservoir)
- Beaches: Kollam, Thirumullavaram, Thangassery
- Ashtamudi Lake, Munroe Island
- Sasthamkotta Lake (largest freshwater lake in Kerala)
- Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary
FAQs
- Q: What is the population of Kollam in 2025?
A: Approx. 2.84 million (28.4 Lakhs), growth by ~7.76% since 2011.
- Q: What is the literacy rate in Kollam?
A: 94.09% (male 96.09%, female 92.31%)
- Q: Major religions in Kollam district?
A: Hindu (64%), Muslim (19%), Christian (16%)
- Q: Urban vs rural split?
A: Urban 45%, Rural 55%
- Q: SC and ST population proportion?
A: SC: 12.46%, ST: 0.41%
- Q: Major towns/cities?
A: Kollam, Karunagappally, Punalur, Chavara, Mayyanad, Paravur, Kundara, Kottarakkara, Ochira, Chathannoor
- Q: Main language spoken?
A: Malayalam (99%)
- Q: Child population (0-6 yrs)?
A: 254,260 (9.65%)
- Q: Who has highest sex ratio by community?
A: Muslim: 1131; Hindu: 1109; Christian: 1116
- Q: What is the main local industry?
A: Cashew processing, fishing, coir, handloom, wood, clay.
- Q: Major tourist attraction?
A: Jadayu Centre, Palaruvi Falls, Ashtamudi Lake, Shendurney Sanctuary